Arthropods

Division of Arthropods

open weekdays 8am - 5pm
visitors welcome by appointment
information for visitors

phone: (505) 277-1360
fax: (505) 277-1351
museum administrator


tarantula hawk wasp

mailing:
Division of Arthropods
Museum of Southwestern Biology
1 University of New Mexico
MSC03-2020
Albuquerque, NM 87131
shipping:
Division of Arthropods
Museum of Southwestern Biology
302 Yale Blvd NE
CERIA 83, Room 204
Albuquerque, NM 87131
shipping contact: 505-277-1360

Desert Sand Cockroach

desert sand cockroach

Desert Sand Cockroach (female). Photo by D.C.Lightfoot.

Desert sand cockroach

Desert Sand Cockroach (male). Photo by D.C.Lightfoot.

Hexapoda, Blattodea, Polyphagidae, Arenivaga erratica

Description: Adult females are medium, brown, and round insects, similar to a thick penny, fuzzy, and no wings, and short legs and antennae. Adult males are medium pale tan insects with a flattened body and long wings and antennae. Immatures look like small adult females. Another common native sand roach occurs in New Mexico and looks very similar.

Geographic Distribution: Throughout southern New Mexico. Native.

Habitats: Entirely outdoors in sandy soil. Not known to live indoors. Winged males often fly to lights at night, and may enter houses but will not live indoors.

Biology: Adults occur in the summer, and immature stages maybe found in the soil throughout the year.

Health/pest Status: Desert sand roaches are not pests.